STANFORD, Calif. - Former Illinois standout Steven Rodrigues will join the Stanford wrestling staff as a volunteer assistant coach for the 2016-17 season, head coach Jason Borrelli announced today.
"We are thrilled that Steven will be joining our program as the volunteer assistant," said Borrelli, who begins his ninth season at the helm of the program this fall. "As we searched the country for the right person to fill that role, it was critical that we found someone that shares our Cardinal Caliber values. Steven is that guy!
"He is an example of what you can accomplish through hard work, sacrifice, passion, positive attitude, and integrity. He is the perfect addition to the Stanford wrestling family and will definitely have a positive impact on the entire program."
Rodrigues will assist the staff in all areas of the program, focusing on the middle weights.
Illinois' starter at 165 pounds in 2015-16, Rodrigues secured All-America honors by placing fifth at the NCAA Championships in New York City. He took third at the Big Ten Championships as a senior, boasting a 30-5 record.
He also won the Reno Tournament of Champions, while leading the Fighting Illini in major decisions on the year (11).
Rodrigues, who is a native of Mount Kisco, New York, was a sports management major at Illinois. He is a three-time Big Ten All-Academic selection.